Jt1 Member Username: Jt1
Post Number: 8668 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 1:09 pm: | |
I may be a cold hearted asshole but does she deserve another front page story. How many people have gone missing/been murdered since her. I am getting really annoyed that somehow she has become the only victim the news would like to discuss: Tucked away in the news is the story of the still missing Brownstown Township woman and a story about a Taylor (I think) murder suicide that happened in front of the people's children. How about some coverage for the family whose son just got shot over a basketabll game in SW Detroit. I guess all of those people are less important that Tara Grant and her family. Sorry for the rant but the coverage of her and lack of coverage of other victims makes me sick. Here are the story referred above. They will get their one article then be forgotten: http://detroitnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/M ETRO01/703270377/1006 http://detroitnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/M ETRO01/703270406/1006 Here is another about a boy that died when he crashed into a utility pole. His families pain must be insignificant: http://detroitnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/M ETRO01/703270384/1006 Death in domestic assault. Not important: http://detroitnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070326/M ETRO01/703260368/1006 Teen accidentally kills friend - obviously unimportant http://detroitnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20070322/M ETRO03/703220309/1014 I feel bad for Tara Grant's family but she is no more important that hundreds of others that die in SE Michigan every year and certainly should not get more coverage for her and her family than all of the other victims and their families combined. |
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia
Post Number: 829 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 1:11 pm: | |
Your such a cut-up! |
Mcp001 Member Username: Mcp001
Post Number: 2497 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 1:14 pm: | |
No, Jt1, you're not cold-hearted. The problem with the media nowadays is that they don't apply consistent logic regarding what is and what is not a news story. Your examples above prove that to a "T" |
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1
Post Number: 8669 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 1:19 pm: | |
Mafia, I may misunderstand your post but I certainly was not trying to be funny or flippant. I just don't understand how the news decides that one families pain is that much more important than anothers. |
Mikeg Member Username: Mikeg
Post Number: 738 Registered: 12-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 2:29 pm: | |
quote: just don't understand how the news decides that one families pain is that much more important than anothers. I'm sure that part of their decision-making come from the traffic they get on the original story they put up on their websites. Another factor is whether or not it gets picked up by the national media, as did the Grant case. You and I may not like it, but it sells. My advice is to just ignore it. Our own lives are way too short. |
Hockey_player Member Username: Hockey_player
Post Number: 322 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 2:32 pm: | |
Here is the hard, blatant truth about why this is a big story in the daily newspapers - because for the people in the suburbs who constitute the overwhelming majority of daily newspaper readers, murders like a kid getting shot in Detroit over something trivial, or some white trash guy who made his wife disappear, are relatively common. The murder of a wife by a husband, both middle-class professional whites in the exurbs, is exceedingly rare, and because the two are very similar to their neighbors, friends, etc., the story strikes a chord with the demographic who regularly reads newspapers - the same demographic the victims come from. This isn't rocket science. It's the same math that's been brought up on this site over and over - when there are 300, 400 murders per year in Detroit, one murder doesn't stand out above another unless it is particularly gruesome or unusual. You can count on one hand how many murders will take place in the exurbs this year, and thus, being a rarer occurrence, these incidents are interesting to people. It's as simple as the old adage that there's no story in dog bites man; it's when man bites dog that it becomes newsworthy. When we have 300, 400 murders a year, it is dog bites man. If the dailies wrote five articles about each murder victim in the city, the paper would be nothing but death stories, which of course would lead to accusations here on this forum that the newspapers focus only on the negative about the city. The pain of the families in the city is no less than that of the families of victims in the suburbs, nor are the victims' lost lives any less important. All murders are unjust, all deaths are sad. But stories aren't written to soothe the pain of a victim's relatives, they're written in regards to what interests the suburban readership (and suburban advertisers who cater to that readership), and yet another senseless murder in the city of Detroit is not particularly interesting to jaded suburbanites, many of whom never venture anywhere near the city limits and really don't care anymore what happens there. |
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed
Post Number: 553 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 2:33 pm: | |
MWW syndrome. See Lacey Peterson. |
Rjk Member Username: Rjk
Post Number: 653 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 3:00 pm: | |
I didn't read the story about her in the Sunday paper, but it appeared to deal Tara Grant and her sister growing up together. That angle on the story is going to play well among woman and especially white woman. There are plenty of white woman in this state, so there you have it. I just did a quick check on that story in the Sunday paper and it was actually written by her sister. That sounds like something Oprah would have on her show. I'd bet good money that Tara's sister does in fact appear on Oprah in the coming weeks/months. |
Supersport Member Username: Supersport
Post Number: 11441 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 3:38 pm: | |
quote:I may be a cold hearted asshole but does she deserve another front page story. How many people have gone missing/been murdered since her. You're not cold hearted, all of us are sick of hearing about it. Enough already! She's dead, they have the guy in custody that chopped her up, I really don't care to hear about the pain and suffering her family is going through. My sympathy goes out to the family, but your face really no longer need to be in front of a media camera. Most of us have been there, end this soap opera already. |
Bobj Member Username: Bobj
Post Number: 1845 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 3:40 pm: | |
How about Anna Nicole Smith - I have had more than enough of all that! |
Southwestmap Member Username: Southwestmap
Post Number: 758 Registered: 01-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 3:49 pm: | |
"just did a quick check on that story in the Sunday paper (which was given a huge amount of Sunday space!)and it was actually written by her sister. That sounds like something Oprah would have on her show. I'd bet good money that Tara's sister does in fact appear on Oprah in the coming weeks/months" So, our local papers are now a combination of The Shopping News and O Magazine! That's why I don't buy them anymore - they don't cover news, they pander and they have started to give advice and orders! Make a little note of all the silly, cutesy advice the two dailies have started to dish out. Also, recently I saw nearly a quarter page column on how to fry bacon for a Saturday morning breakfast (lay the strips out in a cold frying pan), if you are "staying in" as opposed to "going out"! They are drivel! |
Blueidone Member Username: Blueidone
Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 4:04 pm: | |
I am new to this site, but have been reading the wealth of information on the various threads and learning so much about the City of Detroit that I never knew. Just wanted to comment that I totally agree with you Jt1. It was a gruesome crime...but isn't every murder? And what about leaving the family alone to grieve instead of asking inane questions like "How are you feeling right now?" |
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia
Post Number: 831 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 4:13 pm: | |
Jt1, Bad on me. Just a stupid joke... not commenting on your actual concern in your original post. |
Homer Member Username: Homer
Post Number: 133 Registered: 08-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 4:16 pm: | |
If it bleeds it leads, TV..... If she's white you hear about it all night..... Chopped into little pieces, and spread around a park. Screams to be headlines as long as they can milk it. The poor lady is dead. But, did they ever find her HEAD?????????? |
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia
Post Number: 833 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 4:21 pm: | |
Such an Odyssey! |
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk
Post Number: 551 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 4:24 pm: | |
Enough about Tara Grant THANK YOU! I've been saying that for weeks. Maybe now that her bits and pieces are in the ground, the media will lay off. At least until the trial starts. |
Iseries840 Member Username: Iseries840
Post Number: 349 Registered: 08-2005
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 4:34 pm: | |
The media does not exist to provide us with information. It's only purpose is to generate revenue by getting you to watch or read the advertisements that they sell. If enough people want to hear about the dumb crap that they show then they are doing their jobs. |
1805 Member Username: 1805
Post Number: 18 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 4:53 pm: | |
It's always a media circle jerk when something like this happens. And "something like this" has it's connotations. "Something like this" sells papers. "Something like this" holds TV gawking believers hostage. "Something like this" is the recycled swallowing of regurgitated conditioning. It's psychological terrorism. It's gossip. It's spectacle. It's circus freak-show. It's helicopters hovering over a traveling caravan. It's pointed to be pointless. And it has no affect on our real lives. It stays behind glass as we're encouraged to provokingly tap on it. |
Danny Member Username: Danny
Post Number: 5672 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 5:37 pm: | |
Tara Grant will be missed. She was a wonderful woman who sets her plan for the future of the her life. |
1805 Member Username: 1805
Post Number: 26 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 5:43 pm: | |
Anyone should be missed when they die, and it's awful what happened to her. It's just that the media giving focused attention to stories like this is like holding a popularity contest posthumously. |
1805 Member Username: 1805
Post Number: 27 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 5:45 pm: | |
By the way, the irony that this thread is titled "Enough about Tara Grant" and the fact that we keep going on about it isn't lost on me. |
Designerguy24 Member Username: Designerguy24
Post Number: 44 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 5:45 pm: | |
I agree with you 1805 Its over and done with time for the media to move on let the families heal. |
Ffdfd Member Username: Ffdfd
Post Number: 52 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 5:50 pm: | |
Hey guys, I just found another source that's adding to the overkill. I'm with you all -- enough already! https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/5/97963.html?1175028315 |
1805 Member Username: 1805
Post Number: 31 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 6:04 pm: | |
Ffdfd, I said it wasn't lost on me! |
Ffdfd Member Username: Ffdfd
Post Number: 54 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 6:12 pm: | |
quote:Ffdfd, I said it wasn't lost on me! Yeah, you beat me to the punch. Didn't see your post because I was trying to figure out how to paste this thread, going through atdetroit instead of detroityes. So much for my timing. |
Pffft Member Username: Pffft
Post Number: 1237 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 6:22 pm: | |
"Maybe now that her bits and pieces are in the ground, the media will lay off." How would you feel about this reference to "bits and pieces" if this was your sister, or daughter? |
Craig Member Username: Craig
Post Number: 97 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 6:35 pm: | |
Why so much Tara? Interesting question. There may be some political biases that shape the front page, but these fall short of conspiracy. And I believe that race may also be a factor, but I don't see a conspiracy to keep minorities out of the paper. I do believe that a mix of old-fashioned capitalism and our natural tendencies influence what makes the paper. "The paper"/media stay in business by giving us what we want, and "we" tend to want glamor and to learn about people further up the socio-economic scale Anthropologist or psychologists might be able to tell us why. My guess is that we expect bad things to happen to the poor and the common, but beautiful and sexy and celebrity is interesting. Be honest: would you reach for a story about another crackhead in Detroit or the story about the entertainer crackhead (i.e. Whitney Houston)? Can you analyze yourself enough to know the reason why? Bottom line: people enjoy scandal, especially when dressed in prestige and sex appeal. |
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner
Post Number: 1141 Registered: 04-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 - 6:57 pm: | |
So you wont people to stop talking about Tara Grant so you post here to state so? Don't you see the irony? Ha Ha just read 1805... nearly the same thing I said! (Message edited by detroitplanner on March 27, 2007) |
Warriorfan Member Username: Warriorfan
Post Number: 674 Registered: 08-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 12:42 am: | |
So when the media is running stories about crime in Detroit, you guys all bitch and moan about how it makes Detroit look bad and how the media has an anti-Detroit agenda. When the media focuses on suburban crime, you guys all bitch and moan that they AREN'T paying enough attention to Detroit crimes. Which one is it, you WANT Detroit murders to be splashed all over the news or you don't? I'm starting to think that nothing the media can do will makes you guys happy. |
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize
Post Number: 430 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 1:40 am: | |
WE just want the news to be like the news should be (never will happen). |
Cklwbig8 Member Username: Cklwbig8
Post Number: 121 Registered: 02-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 8:54 am: | |
It's all about the "drama" if there's no drama behind it all then it is considered boring for the news to continue to cover. eg "anna nicole smith" |
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man
Post Number: 377 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 9:27 am: | |
Urbanize-how SHOULD the "news" be? |
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize
Post Number: 434 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 9:46 am: | |
They should cover all the stories that are actually important and not take up all the air time half investigating one issue. |
Defendbrooklyn Member Username: Defendbrooklyn
Post Number: 89 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 9:52 am: | |
Its not news any longer...At one point it was...Considering what’s going on in the world and Michigan Tara's story is so miniscule. Poverty? Why people are in poverty...blablabla The mainstream news is almost worthless. I say almost because i like sports. in my opinion... Good worldly radio news can be found at wbai.org |
Urbanize Member Username: Urbanize
Post Number: 437 Registered: 02-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 9:57 am: | |
"The mainstream news is almost worthless. I say almost because i like sports." That like me saying it because I like the weather. The news is generally worthless to me, I just watch to see Gaidica and Hodak. |
Kimistree Member Username: Kimistree
Post Number: 9 Registered: 01-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 - 11:49 am: | |
I have to tell you all what my husband said just now, while reading the thread titles of this Forum. Let me also say he doesn't read the local papers, and never looks at television. He got to this thread and he said "Who is Tara Grant?" He is not joking he really doesn't know. I had to tell him just now! The moral of the story we can't read or listen to our local media then we won't have to hear about this day and night. |
Mtm Member Username: Mtm
Post Number: 202 Registered: 06-2006
| Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 11:41 am: | |
And at the same time, where's all the coverage of missing Lizzie Mae Collier-Sweet? Today WDIV is running a follow-up story on police searching the Rouge River. But, a couple of days ago, when I wanted to ask this question, I tried to verify the spelling of her name. Searches for "Sweet" on all the local medium turned up NOTHING - not even archived info. Maybe it's like one of her relatives said: if she had been a young, attractive, white woman who disappeared mysteriously, they might have covered her story a bit more and gotten more information about her case out in the public. (Message edited by mtm on March 29, 2007) |
Pam Member Username: Pam
Post Number: 1239 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 11:47 am: | |
quote:Today WDIV is running a follow-up story on police searching the Rouge River This story was on Channel 7 this morning too so maybe it is starting to get more attention. |
Mtm Member Username: Mtm
Post Number: 203 Registered: 06-2006
| Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 12:18 pm: | |
Perhaps. But she's been missing since JANUARY. And when her house burned and she disappeared, news coverage was nowhere near the coverage on the Grant case. |
Pistonian_revolution Member Username: Pistonian_revolution
Post Number: 83 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 12:28 pm: | |
iheartthed, does MWW syndrome stand for "murdered white woman" ? cuz if so, you're certainly right. the media seems to place the highest priority on the mysterious death of white women or teenage girls. nothing else comes close to mattering. its ridiculous. i dont even watch the news anymore. i go to bbc news website for news that is more entertaining and interesting and relevent in the world. they even do pretty well for american news. |